DEPRIVED rural areas close to Warwick and Stratford are bidding for a new nursery scheme.

If successful, #250,000 could be provided to help build a nursery and improve home and health visiting in villages such as Kineton, Alcester, Lighthorne Heath and Lower Quinton.

It is thought the scheme would be based at a local nursery, such as the one at Lower Quinton.

But people in the area have to convince the county council that it suffers enough deprivation to get the funding because an application to base the scheme in north Warwickshire has also been received.

The money will come from a national Sure Start fund which Warwickshire County Council will apply for.

A report to councillors on the learning overview committee points out that although south Warwickshire is generally considered to be affluent, it contains large areas of rural deprivation.

It says: "Relative affluence in one area masks the deprivation of those in rural communities with no access to their own transport.

"Almost 600 under five-year-olds live in means-tested benefit households - the majority situated in small towns or villages."

It goes on to say car ownership is a necessity not a luxury for people in rural areas and 17 per cent of people in Lower Quinton do not have a car.

Since the Ministry of Defence base closed down two years ago, a lot of services and facilities have disappeared from the village, and the Army's former houses have been taken over by housing associations.

"Pockets of deprivation exist in small towns and villages such as Alcester, Kineton, Lower Quinton and Lighthorne Heath surrounded by areas of rural isolation," it states.

Councillors will meet to discuss which scheme should be chosen tomorrow.

* PLANS for a new children's farm, with cafe and art gallery, look set to come to fruition near Leamington.

The owners of Hill Top Farm, off the Fosse Way, at Hunningham, want to redevelop their land to create a children's farm and play area and offer refreshments to visitors.

There will also be a farm shop selling local produce and the art gallery would display and sell work from local artists.

Warwick District Council has recommended the plans be given approval and will discuss the matter on Wednesday.